Is Keeping Your Thoughts Completely Pure Possible?

When my brother was twelve, he found a large sum of money outside a privately owned store. He informed the store owner if anyone could identify the cash amount, he would return it. Weeks later the money was never claimed, so it was my brother’s to keep.

My brother wanted to have a clear conscience. Listen to Romans 8:6. “If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die. But if our minds are controlled by the Holy Spirit, we will have life and peace.” Jesus confirms: “It isn’t what’s on the outside that condemns a person, but what’s on the inside.”

It’s difficult to constantly have pure thoughts, but it’s a worthy goal that honors God. Romans 12:2 affirms that your mind can be renewed and made clean by the power of Christ within you. Shakespeare proclaimed, “To yourself be true," but this can be surpassed by committing yourself to being “faithful and true to Jesus Christ, who redeemed you.”

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Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 

~Proverbs 4:23-24 New International Version  

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Deception Versus Integrity

The potential for deception is entrenched into our character and seems to be present from early childhood. Deception, in whatever forms it takes, builds a bridge to broken trust and broken hearts. Psalm 62:4 defines it. "They delight in telling lies, speaking pleasant words with their mouth but cursing with their heart." 

The biblical word for heart refers to integrity and character, how people think and feel. Here the heart is the seat of all behavior, both good and evil. Listen to Proverbs 4:23-24: “Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Refrain from deception in any form; keep corrupt talk from your lips.”

Words can steal joy and peace when used as a weapon. However, words build a bridge to love and trust, hope and goodness, and can heal the sick in spirit and soul. Kind words are able to restore a troubled relationship by closing the gap of alienation. Ask God to bless you with a clean heart.                            

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A good man produces good deeds from a good heart. And an evil man produces evil deeds from his hidden wickedness. Whatever is in the heart overflows into speech.

~Luke 6:45 The Living Bible

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Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.